I could see the figure of a crown sitting upon its head.

Its as big as I had expected.

Is it about as large as the dragon zombie I had fought before?

However, this place is not spacious enough for it to stand upright.

Thats why, it was currently crawling on the ground on all fours.

Its bones were almost colored orange.

There is some orange light glowing behind his dark eye sockets.

The glowing light is moving about as if it was fidgety.

I could see some things sticking out from its shoulder.

They look like bones from human arms and legs.

There are also some monster bones sticking out along with the others.

This guy

Is it able to grow by taking the bones of other creatures?

That room we were in before may have been a storage for the bones that he has taken.

[Hiiiyyyyyeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaahhhhh!!!]

The roar he made just now sounds really intimidating.

It kinds of resembles the roar of the Dragon Zombie.

As of the moment, it doesnt look like its going to attack us.

The Skeleton King is observing our movements.

[Hati-dono]

Mist is biting her lips next to me as she looks at the Skeleton King.

[Hmmm?]

[Please look at the bone under its chin. If you look at it closely, you should be able to see a silvery part around there.]

[Yeah.]

[If you could break that part, you could probably defeat it.]

[Fumu]

[However I will clearly tell you the reality of what were facing.]

Staring at the monster, Mist continued.

[That is not a monsters that we could fight even if we gather all the mercenaries that have been raiding this ruins. I dont think even that Drunken Sword Party can fight against that It has a large body and quick-witted, its bones are also tough and Ive heard that techniques who make use of magic energy is less effective against it. Thats why I think, even Hati-donos technique wouldnt be]

The Drunken Sword Party.

They must have been that amazing of a party.

[..]

I observed the Skeleton King.

Its shining golden eyes are quickly moving about as if its a leaf beetle.

I could clearly feel it glanced more often towards Mist than it had towards me.

Did it think that it should be more wary towards Mist?

The stronger one of the two of us is that woman.

I see

If there is Mist beside me, it may be possible to divert the enemys consciousness away from me.

Well then how should I attack it?

I remember back when Ive fought the Soul Eater.

I wonder if this monster also has an ultra-high speed ability to intercept others attacks.

Thats something I still dont know right now.

How high is this monsters level anyway?

If I want increase the certainty of my skill hitting it successfully, I should find the moment when the opponent is about to attack. I would then match its attack by activating my skill but

[Hati-dono, I have a request.]

Mist suddenly called out.

Pishi.

Piikkkii,

Pishhiiii

Snowflakes began to float around on the edge of Mists sword.

The amount of these snowflakes gradually began increasing.

[I would try to reinforce my sword and make it blunt with ice. I would then try to break that weak spot. Furthermore, I would be increasing my physical ability by creating my special armor. With the strength that Ive been stacking up, it should be able for me to defeat it. Its just that Im trying to conceal the existence of this power of mine as much as possible. Thats why, could I ask you to keep what youve seen here for yourself?]

The Skeleton King opened its mouth wide.

I could see the light that Ive seen before started gathering towards its mouth.

Is it going to attack Mist by launching something towards her?

However it still doesnt blast it out.

There should be a moment where it would launch it in one go after it swells up.

In order to find that opportunity, I kept on watching over the Skeleton King.

Sometimes, it is necessary to take the risk even if youre not sure of success.

However, I would like to focus on my certainty through this way.

Find a gap that I could certainly exploit and defeat others through this.

[And also Im sorry. If that monster was stronger than I had expected, I dont think I would even be conscious enough to protect you. Thats why, if that were the case, Hati-dono and Pigimaru-dono should start fleeing]

[Giiiggeeerrooooo!]

It looks like its about to release that thing it has been gathering.

And the moment when it would produce the easiest gap that I could exploit with

is right now.

[<Paralyze>]

Shuuuu.

[Ooohh, ooohh- ooooo]

The light that has been gathering in the Skeleton Kings mouth started weakening.

So, it didnt explode itself just like that time with the Lizardman?

[Ooohhh, oohhh? ooooohhh]

The monsters movement has completely stopped.

I could feel the confusion in the Skeleton Kings face.

It doesnt have a face to make expressions, but I know.

I took a step forward towards it.

[-Eh?]

A short, dumbfounded voice leaked out from Mists mouth.

The snowflakes that has been gathering in her weapon stopped halfway.

Calmly, I turned to her and replied.

[I understand. This strength that you spoke of, I swear that I wont leak it out towards others without your permission.]

I turned back towards the Skeleton King again and extended my hand towards the paralyzed monster.

If this were to work against it, then it means that I wont need to know some sh*tty weak points.

[<Poison>]

The Skeleton Kings gigantic body turned purple.

It seems that <Poison> is still successful right now.

Just like that time with the rotting dragon, the skill was still effective even against monsters who were made up of just bones.

I still dont understand the principle around this skill.

However, Ive successfully invoked my abnormal state skill against all kinds of targets.

Well, with the exception of that f*cking goddess but

[What in the world is that? A technique? A magical equation?]

Mist looks baffled as she looked up towards the King of Bones.

Her eyes were wide open while shes still holding the sword of ice in her hand.

Ah, I see.

Is this the first time that Mist have seen someone using <Poison>?

I look back towards her.

[I will make sure that I will not utter a word about your power. In exchange]

While the King of Bones is currently being afflicted by my poison, I spoke.

[Could I ask you to keep the knowledge of this power to yourself?]

Mist still doesnt seem to have caught up with the situation.

[And also, these so-called abnormalities that have been happening in this ruins those were probably just the corpses of the monsters I have killed with this power.]

[Ha- Hati-donos?]

[Listening to have the Drunken Sword Party has described it when I had met them earlier, thats the only plausible thing that I could infer. Killing a monster with this power of mine basically seems to leave no trauma in them. Now that I think about it, havent you experienced it yourself before?]

Back in that forest, I have invoked <Paralyze> towards Mist.

It seems that she havent noticed it yet when I have put her to sleep before.

[Well, this power is kind of]

I pointed towards the Skeleton King behind me with my thumb.

[It seems that its a bit of an abnormality in this world.]